Patterson, who held the post for only 16 months, made the announcement Tuesday, one day after Channel 7 news followed a New Times story posted Friday that reported police officers allegedly had sex with arrested offenders rather than prosecute them, stole property from the station, transported liquor in police vehicles for private parties and horsed around with Tasers on the job, among other possible offenses.

"I regret to inform you that I must tender my resignation effective Friday, September 2, 2011 at the close of business due to personal reasons," Patterson wrote in a May 24 memo to city leaders.

Last March, city commissioners urged Patterson to get the police department "back on track" by reinstating Chief Cheryl Cason, who had been suspended by Patterson for failing to report a minor incident.